Quick viewing(Text Mode)

News from France 04.04

News from France 04.04

http://www.ambafrance-us.org http://www.france.diplomatie.fr

VOL. 04.04 APRIL 7, 2004

A triweekly review of French news and trends Online at: www.ambafrance-us.org/publi/nff INSIDE New Foreign 2 L’événement E.U. Unites After reshuffle, is appointed minister of the interior and internal security Against Terrorism 3 -Amérique OLLOWING THE MARCH 28 regional elec- spending around 30 Clinton-Chirac AIDS tions, the government led by Prime Minister billion a year on Initiative for Africa Jean-Pierre Raffarin has been revamped and infrastructure projects now counts 43 ministers, minister delegates and in the E.U.'s poorest 4 Profil Fsecretaries of state. Among them, 14 —including 5 min- areas. France’s Historical isters— have been nominated to government for the He was first elected Role in the E.U. first time. Two of the most powerful ministries have to the French National changed hands: Dominique de Villepin, formerly the Assembly in 1978, 5 Économie / Science minister of foreign affairs, is the new interior and inter- when he was 27, then New Law Promotes nal security minister, and the Ministry of Foreign he became a Senator Entrepreneurship Affairs will be headed by 53-year-old Michel Barnier. from 1997 to 1999 for 6 Société “The new government will have to pursue the course of his region. He French Grand Slam the reforms indispensable for the future of our country,” was appointed minis- said President during the first cabinet meet- ter delegate for 7 Culture Salon du Livre in Paris COMPOSITION OF ing of the new gov- European affairs under THE NEW GOVERN- ernment on April 2. the Juppé Government 8 Chez nous The new foreign (1995-1997). He also MENT Lyon Opera Ballet minister, Michel very successfully Despite several important changes, Barnier, declared Dominique de Villepin (right)congratulates presided over the Minister of Defense Michèle Alliot- himself "touched his successor, Michel Barnier. Organizational Marie, Minister of Justice Dominique by the trust shown (Courtesy:Ministry of Foreign Affairs - F. de La Mure) Committee for the Perben, Minister of Agriculture Hervé in me by both the 1992 Winter Olympic Gaymard and Minister for Sports president and prime minister, Games, which were held in Albertville, Savoie. AMBASSADE DE FRANCE Jean-François Lamour have retained and proud of succeeding Shortly after his nomination, Barnier explained that "the con- AUX ETATS-UNIS their portfolios. The principal ministers Dominique de Villepin, who struction of Europe will be at the core of France's foreign dealings," forming the new government are: headed this Ministry with tal- under his leadership, but that he will not neglect France's many Ministre d’Etat, ent, intelligence and energy." other diplomatic relation- Minister for the Economy, Barnier will be assisted ships and initiatives. His FRANCE PAYS TRIBUTE Finance and Industry by two minister delegates. appointment is considered a TO VICTIMS OF MADRID Claudie Haigneré will be in sign of the French govern- BOMBINGS Minister of Education charge of European affairs ment's goodwill towards the On March 15, French President Jacques Chirac paid trib- and Research —Europe's first female , which is ute to the 190 victims of the March 11 Madrid train François Fillon astronaut, she was the minis- currently facing major chal- bombings by laying a wreath at the Spanish Embassy in Minister of the Interior ter delegate for research and lenges and so needs the sup- Paris, and observing three minutes of silence. Sirens and Internal Security new technology under the port of its strongest mem- blared and church bells rang out in Paris and across Dominique de Villepin previous Raffarin govern- bers to implement necessary France at noon in honor of the victims, while the flags at Minister of Labor the Elysée presidential palace and at French embassies Jean-Louis Borloo ment— and reforms. throughout the world were flown at half-mast. The met- Minister of Justice will be responsible for coop- Speaking of the crucial ros in Paris briefly came to a halt, buses stopped and eration, development and French-American relation- shoppers in the Galeries Lafayette department store froze Minister of Defense francophony. ship, Barnier emphasized in place as all of France showed its with the peo- Michèle Alliot-Marie Michel Barnier had pre- that he "will be working with ple of Spain, and with all victims of terrorism. Minister of Foreign Affairs viously been the European the U.S. to recast and reno- On March 24, Chirac attended the victims' state funerals in Michel Barnier commissioner for regional vate the long-lasting alliance Madrid's Almudena cathedral, along with 15 other heads Minister of Health policy and institutional with our American friends." of state and government, including King Juan Carlos of Phillipe Douste-Blazy reform, a position he had He also called for strong U.S. Spain, British Prime Minister and German Minister of Agriculture held since 1999. While in ties with the European conti- Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. Hervé Gaymard Minister of Culture , Barnier managed nent in general; according to and Communication the second largest E.U. the new foreign affairs minister, "the American people have to trust Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres budget after agriculture, Europe, and of course this trust has to be reciprocated." l l

1 En bref current events FRENCH PRESENCE L’ÉVÉNEMENT INCREASED IN KOSOVO French President Jacques Chirac, in order to confront the resurgent ethnic E.U. Unites Against Terrorism violence in Kosovo that has left at E.U. leaders agree on many vigorous new measures during the March 25 European summit least 31 dead and more than 500 injured, pledged France's support to HE EUROPEAN UNION'S heads of state and of arrest warrant policy, and to the strengthening of Eurojust (the the president of Serbia-Montenegro, government met on March 25 in Brussels for a European Justice Agency) and Europol (the European Police Svetozar Marovic, on March 19. European summit overshadowed by the terrible train Agency). Other measures, to be enacted by 2005, include mak- Specifically, Chirac announced the bombings that had stunned Spain and the world two ing visas and passports more secure through the use of bio- deployment of 400 soldiers to rein- Tweeks before. The 25 leaders focused therefore on reinforcing metric data, forming a common European border agency, and force France's peace-keeping opera- their common anti-terrorism policies and agreed on a number coordinating the intelligence services of banks and other tions in the region. The French contin- gent in Kosovo already numbers of steps, notably the creation of a Counter terrorism financial organizations in order to disrupt terrorist financing. 2,500, representing 16 percent of Coordinator to better harmonize their counter terrorism The E.U. leaders also agreed on the importance of adopting U.N. forces deployed in the province. efforts (former Deputy Interior Minister Gijs de Vries of the a European Constitution no later than June 17-18, when a was appointed to the position). will be held shortly after the June 13 FRANCE AND INDIA CON- The leaders discussed a package of counter terrorism mea- European parliamentary elections. With the European Union's DUCT NAVAL EXERCISES sures in three major areas: judicial cooperation, operational enlargement. to take place in May, it has become ever more Recent developments have furthered cooperation and the fight against terrorism's financial net- pressing to reform its institutions in order to accommodate 10 French beliefs that strong bilateral ties with India as well as a strong naval works. They agreed to the implementation of a pan-European new nations while preserving a single, European identity. l l presence in the seas around the sub- continent are critical in the fight against terrorism and regional instabil- ity. From April 2 to 15, the two coun- Queen Elizabeth II Visits France tries' navies will thus pursue their The monarch’s state visit marks the centennial of the Entente Cordiale between the two nations "Varuna" series of exercises, which were launched in November 2001, by NE HUNDRED YEARS AGO this April, France conducting joint military exercises in and the ended centuries of rivalry the Arabian Sea. French-Indian rela- and mutual miscomprehension with the signature tions will be further consolidated by O India's decision to build at least six of the Franco-British Accords, commonly referred to as the French designed Scorpene submarines Entente Cordiale (please see NFF issue 03.14 for more infor- in its Mazagaon shipyard. mation). In celebration of this important anniversary, Queen Elizabeth II of England and Prince ALAIN ROBBE-GRILLET IMMORTALIZED Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Writer Alain Robbe-Grillet, 81, was elected on March 25 to the made an official state visit to France Académie Française, the prestigious guardian institution of the French language's purity. Robbe-Grillet will succeed Maurice Rheims, who from April 5 to 7. This marked the passed away last year. With more than 10 novels to his name, includ- Queen's fourth state visit to France, ing Dans le Labyrinthe (1959), Pour un Nouveau Roman (1963), La making it the country she has most Belle Captive (1976), Djinn (1981), Angélique ou l'Enchantement visited in her capacity as Britain's British Prime Minister Arthur James Balfour and his (1988) and Les Derniers Jours de Corinthe (1994), the former agricul- head of state. French counterpart Emile Combes, whose govern- tural engineer is primarily recognized as the theoretician of the "nou- The Queen and the Duke of ments signed the Entente Cordiale in 1904. veau roman" (new novel) movement, which he helped found. This Edinburgh were received by French (From the album Les promoteurs de l'Entente Cordiale, 1909, movement calls for the rethinking of traditional, linear plot- President Jacques Chirac, and a illustrated by Noël Dorville and edited by G. Gounouilhou) lines, and advocates leaving as much to the imagination as state banquet was held at the Palais possible rather than relying too much on description. de l'Elysée in the Queen's honor. The Franco-British accords were signed on April 8, 1904, FRENCH-FINANCED The Queen also addressed the , paid a visit and ushered in an era of peace and cooperation between HUNGARIAN HOLO- to the Saumur Cavalry School in western France, previewed Britain and France. The two countries have decided to give a CAUST MUSEUM the future British art room in the Louvre, and toured the new impetus to the Entente Cordiale on the occasion of the INAUGURATED headquarters of in Toulouse. 100th anniversary of the initial agreement, and have rein- The French government has helped finance the The official events were accompanied by public events, forced their cooperation in several areas, including defense, construction of the new such as concerts, tournaments, and art exhibits. The proceeds peacekeeping in Africa, environmental protection, govern- Hungarian Holocaust were donated to the fight against cancer—a philanthropic ment reform, education and immigration. Museum which will open focal point in both countries. For more information, visit www.entente-cordiale.org.l l its doors on April 15. France contributed $500,000 to the museum's Bush to Attend D-Day Commemorations construction, a significant portion of its overall cost of The U.S. President will join French President Chirac on June 6 $7 million. French minister O MARK THE 60TH anniversary of Ceremonies will take place throughout of the interior, Nicolas Sarkozy, who is of D-Day and the liberation of France on June 6, with one prevailing Hungarian origin, is set to TFrance, one of the greatest theme: honoring the valor and courage of attend the inauguration of instances of transatlantic cooperation the veterans who fought for freedom. the museum, which will and friendship, President George W. Bush This will likely be the last major anniver- take place exactly 60 years has accepted the invitation to attend the sary celebration which a large number of after 's Jews were anniversary ceremonies in Normandy, veterans will be able to attend. For more An American cemetery in confined to ghettos before along with other allied heads of state who information, please visit our Web site, Normandy, France. their deportation. 2 were invited by President Jacques Chirac. www.ambafrance-us.org. l l (Courtesy:Illinois State University) U.S. PR FOR FRENCH ECONOMY France & America The French Agency for International Investment (AFII) decided in March to call upon the services of the American public relations company Ogilvy & Mather to launch a worldwide campaign promoting Clinton and Chirac Launch AIDS Initiative France as an ideal place for foreign invest- The Clinton Foundation and France will join forces to combat AIDS in Africa ment. The 10-million project will run until 2006 as it seeks to bring in business RESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC and former also plans to work with the Clinton Foundation on two other from around the globe. AFII has identified U.S. President have joined forces in the projects: fostering greater hospital cooperation between the the U.S. as one of its most important tar- battle against HIV/AIDS. Clinton has taken on the developed and developing countries, with the participation get countries in this campaign. battle against this deadly of the French ESTHER program Pdisease, which affects an estimated (Ensemble pour une Solidarité JEANNE D'ARC MAKES 42 million people, as a goal for his Thérapeutique Hospitalière en BERTH INBALTIMORE Clinton Foundation, founded at Réseau); and putting pressure on The French helicopter carrier Jeanne d'Arc the end of his presidency in 2001. multilateral organizations such as and the destroyer , which form the French Navy's training The current and former presi- the World Bank, the World Health squadron, made berth in Baltimore from dents agreed that the Clinton Organization, and the World AIDS March 24 to March 29. The purpose of Foundation and France will com- Fund to help push for fair and the squadron's visit was to complete the bine their efforts during a private affordable HIV/AIDS treatment midshipmen's studies—many of those meeting between the two at the programs throughout the world. on-board attend the French Naval Elysée Palace on March 12. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and French Five leading pharmaceutical Academy—by familiarizing them with dif- The agreement signed by President Jacques Chirac companies agreed in January to ferent cultures and civilizations. This visit, the only one scheduled in the United President Chirac calls for French (Courtesy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) reduce their prices for HIV tests cooperation with the Clinton and to cooperate with the Clinton States this year, featured a cocktail recep- Foundation, allowing for aid to francophone countries such Foundation in 15 African and Caribbean countries. By 2008, tion on March 25 hosted by the com- manding officer of the squadron, as Cameroon, the , and Haiti, which are all strug- the Foundation hopes that these cheaper tests will be able to Commodore Marc de Briançon. gling with the disease. This is in line with France's strong help 5 million people reach quicker diagnoses, and that this commitment to the international fight against AIDS. France will contribute toward finding a cure. l l AMERICAN DIRECTS MUSIC AT NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL Forum USA 2004 This spring, American musician John BNP PARIBAS BUYS U.S. BANK Nelson marks his sixth year directing Forum promotes French science in America France's largest bank, BNP Paribas, which ranks among sacred music at the Notre-Dame Europe's largest global financial conglomerates, bought HE 2004 EDITION of Forum USA took place suc- Cathedral. The biannual concerts which the stock of Community First Bankshares Inc, a North Nelson directs at Christmas and Easter cessively in Boston (April 3-5), Chicago (April 6) and Dakota-based bank holding company with 46 branch- San Francisco (April 8 and 9). Organized each year have become something of a tradition at T es in Colorado. The French group paid $1.2 billion for the famous Parisian cathedral. Although since 1990 by the Mission for Science and Technology at the the acquisition, which will strengthen its presence in the Nelson has led a distinguished career in French Embassy, Forum USA is geared toward helping young , where it will now control more than 500 secular music, directing at the Juilliard French researchers, engineers, scientists and future business- agencies and $44 billion in assets through its subsidiary School, the Met, and men, who currently work in North America, to meet French BancWest. The Community First banks will be renamed Carnegie Hall, among others, sacred companies and explore employment opportunities in France. Bank of the West, and Colorado will rank second only music has always held a special, powerful In a special session in Boston on April 4, Bernard to California in terms of BNP branch locations. Present meaning for him. in 17 states, BNP Paribas is seeking to increase its pres- Larrouturou and Christian Bréchot, directors of the French ence in the western United States, and is expected to National Center for Scientific Research and the French SPIRIT AIRLINES acquire more American banks in the region. CHOOSES AIRBUS National Institute for Medical Research, respectively, outlined Spirit Airlines, a low-cost their organizations' future roles in French research. this year saw a dramatic increase in the percentage of non- American air carrier, announced Created for young French nationals, the Forum French participants who came to discover what France has on March 19 plans to purchase remains open to candidates of all nationalities. Indeed, to offer in the field of science. l l 35 Airbus aircraft valued at $2 billion. According to Laura Bennett, Spirit's spokeswoman, Big Mac Not So Bad According to French Nutritionists the airline also has the option of buying 60 additional planes.

CCORDING TO THE BOOK soups, candies, and breads. The Big Mac 1 DOLLAR FOR 1 EURO in second place on the French and cheeseburger were praised by the two PROMOTION Anonfiction best-seller list, food dietary researchers because of the burgers' At the Paris-Saint-Ouen flea mar- served by the routinely criticized ratio of protein to saturated fat: 25 grams kets, dollars may not be as good American franchise McDonald's may not to 11 grams for the Big Mac and 15 grams as gold, but they are definitely as be as unhealthy as conventional wisdom to 6 grams for the cheeseburger. good as euros. The flea market dictates. French nutritionists Jean-Michel Before you run to your nearest has initiated a successful "un Cohen and Patrick Serog have declared in McDonald's for some healthy fare, how- euro = un dollar" operation on selected dates in order to attract their Savoir Manger food guide that the ever, there is one rather significant catch: American customers. The current McDonald's Big Mac and cheeseburger are McDonald's French restaurants primarily exchange rate of approximately 1 actually healthier than many traditional use French-made ingredients. Indeed, euro to 1.2 dollars makes the French dishes. according to Anna Rozenich, a corporate Le Big Mac promotion a good deal for cus- Cohen and Serog analyzed the nutri- spokesperson for McDonald's, (Courtesy: McDonald’s) tomers paying in dollars. tional benefits of 5,000 foods available in "McDonald's may have been born in the Although it is impossible to tell France, including items such as jams, ice creams, sandwiches, United States, but in France, it's very much French." l l how many merchants will be par- ticipating, many are expected to. 3 Major French players in the construction of Europe: In Depth Review PROFIL

Robert Schuman (1886-1963) He advocated the AAtt tthehe heahearrtt ooff tthehe EE..U.U. rapprochement of the French and German France, Long a Proponent of European Enlargement nations through the AY 1 WILL MARK a new step in the history believed that an ambitious enlargement would consolidate 1951 creation of the European Coal and of European integra- peace and stability. Therefore Steel Community (ECSC), the basis of Mtion with the adher- France was one of the first coun- today's European Union. ence of 10 new member states to tries to support the launch of the the E.U. France, which has played a enlargement process in 1998. decisive role in Europe's enlarge- France sees many advantages (1888-1979) ment process, has largely seen in reuniting the European conti- Monnet is con- enlargement as a moral duty vis-à- nent. As well as symbolizing the sidered the "architect vis countries whose tragic history end of totalitarianism in eastern of the European of oppression long cut them off Europe, the Union's expansion Union." He conceived of the ECSC and from Western Europe. will create new economic oppor- believed in building Europe incremen- The upcoming enlargement tunities. Indeed, it will result in the tally and gradually. was envisioned by French officials extension of the single market to since the start of the European 25 states and to 450 million con- François process, over 50 years ago. sumers. French investors and Mitterrand Schuman, who suggested the cre- The European Union (15 current members manufacturers will undoubtedly (1916-1996) ation of the European community in yellow, 10 new members in blue, poten- benefit from these new markets, French in the fifties, argued that central tial future members in purple) and all will gain from the security President and eastern Europe would eventu- (Courtesy: Delegation of the of playing under the same com- between 1981-1995, Mitterrand was a ally join as well. France has always to the United States ) munity rules. l l committed European and his friendship with German Chancellor France, a Major Player in the European Venture Gettiing to Know You! made possible the creation of the euro. INCE 1945,THE EUROPEAN PROJECT has -1981—Greece joins. The French government has been central to French foreign policy. Four considera- -1986—Spain and announced that a film describing (1925- ) Stions have made this ambitious undertaking a priority: Portugal join the EEC. the newly admitted countries is Delors the mutual Franco-German determination to end the con- -February 1986—the being distributed to high served as pres- flicts that twice tore the continent apart in the space of 30 act founding the single schools. The film celebrates the ident of the years; the need, in the Cold War context, to ensure stability European market was common values and similarities European and guarantee the security of the democratic nations west of adopted. It guaranteed shared by the peoples of Europe. Meanwhile, Paris is sponsor- Commission the Iron Curtain; the desire to build a unified economic area freedom of movement ing initiatives to help the new from 1985-1994, and was instrumental that would ensure continued growth and prosperity; and for people, goods and members better understand in pushing European integration for- finally the expansion of the Union in order to give as many capital. This was largely France, and to preserve the sta- ward, by urging the creation of a single countries as possible a chance to share in its benefits. achieved by 1993. tus of French as an E.U. working market and a single currency. Two French politicians were instrumental in launching -1992—the Treaty of language. An all-expenses paid the building of Europe: and Jean Monnet. Maastricht set the stage training course on the French Valery They set up a framework of economic cooperation with a for a common European language and French culture Giscard view to speeding up the establishment of closer political ties. currency and also intro- (including art and gastronomy) d'Estaing This was the context in which the European Coal and Steel duced closer cooperation will be offered to the representa- (1926- ) Community (ECSC) was founded on April 18, 1951, and its on certain defense and tives of the new European Union countries in a beautiful château Former institutions were to serve as a model for subsequent stages in security matters. The in Provence. French Europe's integration. On March 25, 1957, the six member EEC became officially President (1974-1981) Giscard states of the ECSC (Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, known as the European Union (E.U.). d'Estaing became chairman of and the Netherlands) signed the Treaty of -1995—Austria, Finland and Sweden join the E.U. the Convention on the Future of Rome setting up the European Economic Community -January 1, 2002—Introduction of the euro in 11 of the Europe in 2001. It proposed a (EEC). The six countries pledged to further link their current 15 members of the E.U. draft constitution in July 2003. economies by abolishing all customs' barriers among them In December 2001, in view of the adherence of 10 new and establishing a Common Agricultural Policy. members from eastern Europe slated to occur in 2004, the (1927- ) Since the 's signature, France, along with European Union decided to set up a convention, chaired by for- Simone Veil held several min- Germany, actively contributed to the steady progress of mer French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, to review and isterial positions European integration. Major steps included: change the way in which its institutions and processes operate. in France before -January 1, 1973—the European Union's first wave of In July 2003, the convention proposed a draft for a European being elected the enlargement, with the adherence of the United Kingdom, constitution better designed for a union of 25, rather than 15, first female and Denmark. countries. Chances are that the first ever European President of the -1970s—this decade saw the establishment of the Constitution will be adopted in the next few months. European European Council (which brings together the members' Asked about his priorities as the new minister of foreign Parliament in 1979. In 1998, she heads of state or government), the election of members of affairs, Michel Barnier said that "the priority will be building was appointed as a member of the the by universal suffrage and the devel- Europe with one idea in mind: to strengthen France's pres- 4 Constitutional Council. opment of the European Monetary System. ence, influence, place in the European project." l l Economic News DNA DETECTION: TECHNOLOGIE IT'S ELECTRIC! A group of physicists from Pierre Aigrain Laboratory, associated with the Ecole Normale Supérieure and the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), New Law Set to Boost Entrepreneurship have found that DNA can be reliably detected and identified by using elec- NTREPRENEURS IN FRANCE may soon benefit Parliament by the end of the year. tronics, thus precluding the need to resort to time-consuming chemical from a new law proposed by the secretary of state for Addressing four issues, the law attempts first to provide a analyses. Known for its outside-the-box small and medium-sized enterprises. The proposed measure of security for entrepreneurs by creating a "loss-of- thinking, the group built a network of legislation, designed to reinforce a law passed in business insurance." The new insurance would essentially give field effect transistors (FETs) that could AEugust 2003 which sought to encourage the creation of new entrepreneurs a safety net, allowing them to seize opportunities detect molecular charges, thereby sig- enterprises, was presented to the Council of Ministers on they might otherwise let slip. nalling mutations on a gene. This tech- March 17, and is expected to be submitted to the French The new law will also make it easier for entrepreneurs to nology could be the basis for cheap bequest their businesses to others at retirement. Entrepreneurs "labs on a chip" that would enable NO MORE OIL SPILLS? rapid diagnoses. The French Ecologic Group JLMD has invented a system that will be encouraged to remain involved with their enterprises even after retirement in order to ease the business's transmittal can combat the spread of oil spills and the environmental EARTH: damage that occurs as a result. The system, which will fit on to new owners. Another goal of the law is to aid the growth of THE ABOMINABLE SNOWBALL any tanker, is said to reduce oil slicks resulting from tanker small enterprises by crafting favorable tax policies. Finally, the Research conducted by two groups of accidents by 70 to 90 percent! The system allows immediate proposed law advocates the development of capital-risk funds, French scientists from the CNRS and the access to the tanks of the breached ship and efficient recov- along the lines of the American model. Commission for Atomic Energy and ery of its contents. The system does not involve the use of The French Government hopes these measures will signifi- published in the March 18 issue of chemicals, or the use of motorized parts. With the JLMD sys- cantly increase the survival rate of new businesses, as it consid- Nature, tends to confirm the hypothe- tem, it would have taken less than a week to pump the leak- ers these to be a critical source of future job growth. At present, ses, first developed in 1992 and 1998, age of the oil tanker Erika (which leaked more than 10 million entrepreneurial businesses often have a very short life span, that Earth was completely covered with liters of oil off the coast of France in 1999) when traditional ice 750 million years ago. The groups with 10 percent of new enterprises going out of business with- methods took 10 months to accomplish the same task. used a new modeling tool called in one year, and 50 percent failing within five. l l Géoclim which suggested that the breakup of the super-continent Rodinia DASSAULT BUYS SOCPRESSE PRESS GROUP (at the time Earth's entire landmass Big Business Back in the Black French Aerospace giant Dassault has made a bid for formed one single continent) would approximately 80 percent of Socpresse, France's second have been enough to provoke a chain RANCE'S 40 largest sluggish economy and a largest press group, whose holdings include Le Figaro, reaction resulting in a massive tempera- companies, which together strong euro (which hurts France's most widely read daily paper, and the country's ture drop of about 50 degrees Celsius. form the CAC 40 stock French exporters), are a reas- best-selling magazine, L'Express. F Dassault, manufacturers of the Mirage and Rafale combat FNAC TO INAUGURATE market index (the French equiv- suring sign of the underlying ONLINE MUSIC SALES jets, has long sought to increase its media holdings. As alent of the Dow Jones), health and strength of French Fnac, a major French electronics and announced markedly better companies. Indeed, several well as the 30 percent of Socpresse that it already owns, Dassault controls four regional press groups in Paris, and music retailer, announced plans to results for 2003 than they had companies boasted better launch the first French site dedicated to minority stakes in two radio stations. Its purchase of for the previous year. Of the 40 than expected results, and Socpresse will add 70 publications to its portfolio, includ- the online sale of music. Rodolphe firms, 35 made profits, three even Alcatel and Vivendi ing top finance magazine L'Expansion and over 30 per- Buet, Fnac's director of music and video, stated that the company times as many as in 2002. Taken Universal, which both cent of France's daily regional press. together, their profits reached 50 teetered on the brink of bank- The offer's total value was not disclosed, and the "intends to become the leader billion euros, a 41 percent ruptcy, reported operational transaction must still be approved by shareholders and in music sales on the internet in France, as we already are for increase over 2002. profits (though they continue by E.U. competition authorities, but analysts do not anticipate any difficulties. in-store sales." The proposed These results, despite a to post net losses). l l fnacmusic.com site will open in June and offer 300,000 titles available for download, with French Scientists Explain Gamma Ray Mystery hopes of having an additional 200,000 added by the end of 30-YEAR-OLD MYSTERY concerning the strong the atmosphere, and no telescope existed that was sensitive 2004. The songs will be priced glow of gamma rays in our galaxy has been solved by enough to trace their origin. between 1 and 1.5 euros. French astronomer François LeBrun of the Atomic But the European Space Agency's high-performing space A AUTOMOBILE STILL Energy Commission and his team, composed of 17 other telescope, Integral, has finally been able to help LeBrun and his NO. 1 IN EXPORTS European scientists. team discover that the gamma rays in According to recent figures Gamma rays, electromagnetic question are emitted by over 90 black published by the Committee of radiation emitted during radioactive holes and neutron stars surrounded by French Automobile Builders, decay, have been detected throughout gas and dust, and they are thus not the cars continue to be France's the Milky Way since the 1970s, when result of a single cataclysmic event, as leading export, edging out agri- they were discovered during high-alti- some had hypothesized. cultural goods. Totaling 48.7 bil- tude balloon-borne experiments. The Nicholas White of the Goddard lion euros in 2003, automobile exports increased 2.3 percent bursts the gamma rays emit, which Space Flight Center, commenting on Gamma ray emissions plotted by Integral relative to 2002, and represent- occur on a daily basis, have been puz- (Courtesy: French Atomic Energy Commission) these startling findings, noted that ed 15.4 percent of total French zling astrophysicists for 30 years: they "The Universe will appear to be a very exports (up from 14.6 percent simply could not determine their cause. Indeed, the rays cannot different place" once the Integral telescope has completed its in 2002). be detected from Earth since they are immediately absorbed by examination of the Milky Way. l l 5 Social News FRANCE INTRODUCES SOCIETÉ PLEA BARGAINS The French Constitutional Council approved a justice bill in March introduc- France Slams World Champs ing the notion of plea bargaining into French law for the first time. Plea bargain- EARLESS FRANCE stunned world champions bitter memory of the 24-7 World Cup loss to England four ing, the cooperation of a suspect with England 24-21 in Paris on March 27 to complete months ago. French coach Bernard Laporte insisted however the prosecution in hopes of a reduced their 8th Six Nations Cup that revenge was not on his mind sentence, is expected to greatly assist the "Grand Slam" and exact when his side took the field, and in police in dealing with organized crime by Fsweet revenge for their World Cup the end, English coach Clive encouraging witnesses to speak out. semi-final loss in Australia. This was Woodward had to concede that NATIONAL ARCHIVES achieved with a tremendous French "French inspiration and flair" made TO BE RELOCATED performance at the Stade de France the difference on Saturday night. The French minister for culture recently in 2003. The 24-21 final score The Six Nations Cup is an annu- announced plans to relocate the French masked the dominance exerted by al rugby event bringing together National Archives. Outgrowing their cur- the men in blue. In an awe-inspiring teams from France, Ireland, Italy, and rent location in Paris, the documents will performance, Bernard Laporte's men the three U.K. nations of England, move 10 km from the city center to outplayed England in attack and Scotland and Wales. These last three metro-accessible Seine-Saint-Denis in defense, taking the game by the scruff of the neck to lead by a teams and Ireland created the competition in 1883, with 2008. The new location will provide over 400 km of shelving for past and future well-deserved 21-3 at half-time. But they then had to survive France soon joining in the fun in 1910, followed by Italy 89 files, though historical documents dating a furious English comeback, which brought the score back to years later. By remaining undefeated throughout the compe- from before 1790 will remain in Paris. 24-21 with six minutes to go. tition, France achieved what is known as a "Grand Slam" (its When the final whistle came, the relief among the French 8th since 1910) as it claimed the trophy. This victory by a rel- TV GUIDE FOR STUDENTS was palpable. Indeed a record Stade de France crowd of just atively young team full of potential is a good sign as France The French Ministry of Education just under 80,000 roared for their team as they sought to bury the prepares to host the Rugby World Cup in 2007. l l published a how-to guide for television intended for students. The new guide- book will help students approach televi- sion shows differently, informing them New Guide Promotes Republican Ideals in School not only of technical details such as edit- ing and sound effects, but also teaching HE FRENCH GOVERNMENT has taken yet anoth- like Schindler's List you are clearly very moved. You under- them how to tell fact from fiction and er strong measure to combat racism and intolerance in stand much better the reality of racism and anti-Semitism how to view the news with a critical eye. Tpublic schools. The French Ministry of Education than if you're asked to read, for example, the Declaration The guide will be available in middle and unveiled the student guidebook, The of the Rights of Man." high schools throughout France. Republican Idea Today, which will be dis- During the 1990s, an estimated 10 vio- tributed to 300,000 public schools in lent anti-Semitic attacks and 60 verbal SAILING RECORD SET FOR order to help teachers combat and prevent threats were reported against Jews every CIRCUMNAGIVATING EARTH On March 9, Frenchman Jean-Luc Van racism and anti-Semitism. year. By 2002, these figures had risen to den Heede broke the world record for The guide explains the origin and 193 and 731, respectively. The government sailing around the globe from east to continued relevance of the principles has seen a correlation between the west (a less popular route than the on which public schools are based, increase in attacks and the deteriorating usual west to east circuit as it is against notably equality, secularism and the situation in the Middle East. The minister the prevailing winds). With a finishing respect of differences. The guide rec- for education explained, "If we have such a Scene from Schindler’s List time of 122 days, 14 hours, ommends that students visit former rise in anti-Semitism in France it is (Courtesy: Universal Pictures) 3 minutes and 49 seconds, Nazi concentration camps, read books because some children identify with the he beat the previous record such as The Diary of Anne Frank and watch movies depict- Palestinian cause and others with Israel." by 29 days. His trusty single ing the Holocaust, including Sophie's Choice, The Pianist, The guide will be published for distribution and also hull sailboat Adrien will dock at Sables-d'Olonne in and Schindler's List. Explaining the rationale behind these available on the Ministry of Education's Web site this May. For western France until the recommendations, the minister said, "When you see a film more information, please visit: www.education.gouv.fr. l l next adventure. DELECTABLE GRASS INTERNET FESTIVAL People all over France, and Food Industry Committed to Fight Obesity The AOC label, stand- in some other French-speak- ing for Appellation N FRANCE AS ELSEWHERE in the food professionals, and secondly at better ing countries, came togeth- d'Origine Contrôlée industrialized world, the food industry has informing consumers. The National er March 29 to April 4 to (protected designation learn more about the Ibeen held partially responsible for the increase Association wants to keep portions of food at a of origin) and usually opportunities opened by the in the number of obese individuals. France is cer- "reasonable size," and it is advocating self-dis- found on wine bottles Internet. Launched in 1998, tainly not immune from this trend: statistics have cipline when it comes to advertising and mar- and sometimes on the "Fête de l'Internet" is shown that, out of a French population of 60 keting products so as not to goad its customers cheeses, will now be an annual week-long million, 5.3 million are obese. France's National into overeating. Measures targeting consumers used for certain types Internet festival which helps Association of Food Industries has therefore are also likely, such as the publication of a of animal feed in France. The label will make the Internet more decided to take steps to prove its good will in guidebook on how to read and understand the guarantee that the pro- accessible to the public, fighting this issue, while also underlining that its nutritional information displayed on labels. duce in question comes teaching participants how to measures cannot be the sole response to this Finally, the food industry wants to promote navigate the Web as well as from a region known problem, since several factors, including lack of the French model of nutrition, which shuns showing them the diversity to be rich in nutrients of information that can be exercise, contribute to weight gain. snacking, as well as the country's traditional and free of pesticides found on its pages. A two-pronged approach has been favored, cuisine, as both are considered key factors in and other unnatural chemicals. 6 which aims first at heightening awareness among sticking to a healthy diet. l l les coups d’oeil Cultural Highlights CULTURE RUBENS EXHIBIT IN LILLE Peter Paul Rubens's art is currently being featured in the Museum of Fine Paris Book Fest Is a Roaring Success Arts in Lille, as part of the 2004 European Capital of Culture's year-long HINESE LITERATURE recently held the spotlight Approximately 40 authors from the People's Republic of celebrations. The exhibit, which runs at this year's 24th annual Salon du Livre in Paris, China, , and Hong Kong, as well as Chinese writers until June 14, highlights a retrospective which attracted an estimated 200,000 people. Having living abroad, joined almost 1,400 French and foreign writ- of his work, displaying 160 paintings, declared 2004 the "Year of China" in France, it was ers and publishers from over 20 countries. No less than sketches, and drawings in the largest Conly natural that the illustrious event should honor China's lit- 2,800 book signings were held, along with lectures on ever gathering of his work in France. erary legacy. George Sand and the Napoleonic Code, both celebrating Born in Anvers, Belgium, in 1577, Rubens spent many years in Italy, was The Salon du their bicentennial anniversaries this year (please see our an official artist for the Spanish Livre is one of 04.01 issue), as well as a lecture on James Joyce's Ulysses, Archduke Albert, and was commis- Europe's which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. sioned by Marie de Medici to compose largest cultural The successful turnout for this year's celebration, despite large paintings to decorate her French events, pro- fears raised by the recent terrorist attacks in Madrid, was no sur- palace. Visit www.exporubens.com for viding the prise. Publishing in France remains the most successful cultural- more information. unique oppor- ly geared industry, rank- tunity to meet ing higher than music TALKING WINDOWS! authors from and cinema. Next year's Lille continues to live up to its role Salon du Livre in Paris all over the Salon du Livre should be as Europe's 2004 Cultural Capital as (courtesy:Ministry of Foreign Affairs, F. de La Mure) more than 120 participating house- world, attend no different, with Russia holds will transform their windows lectures and debates, and of course buy some of the thousands set to be the guest of into miniature artistic galleries. This of books featured. honor. l l is the third year that Lille is holding this virtual art gallery in the streets, this year's theme being contempo- France Celebrates Year of Poland rary art. Participating households The Adams Mammoth, were able to pick their artist in discovered in 1799 in Siberia S THE YEAR OF CHINA comes to a close, France each member country's November, and the exposition will (courtesy:Paris Natural History Museum) is already enthusiastically making preparations for unique identity but it last until April 19. the upcoming Year of Poland. Covering the period must also forge a new WOOLY MAMMOTHS IN PARIS! A FESTIVAL DE from May to December, the celebration's scheduled events will common European The French Natural History Museum in L'IMAGINAIRE focus on discovering Poland's rich cultural as well as identity. Paris will feature a new exhibit entitled The Ministry of Culture and highlight its economic and Looking beyond "In the Time of the Wooly Mammoth" Communication sponsored the 8th scientific achievements. culture, however, starting in March and running until "Festival de l'Imaginaire," dedicated January 10, 2005. Russian, Ukrainian, The festivities will coincide French Foreign to celebrating foreign cultures. The British and German museums, among with Poland's integration Minister Dominique festival featured exhibits and perfor- others, will loan unique items such as mances displaying the talent and into the European Union, de Villepin underlined skeletons of wooly mammoths, ivory along with nine other east- the political signifi- genius of artists from around the statuettes, as well as the complete, fully world, including an Asian zither trio, ern European countries, cance of the Year of preserved baby mammoth discovered Kazakh violinists, and the art of on May 1. Poland, as it presents frozen in Siberia in 1977. The mam- tabla tarrang. The festival was Both the French and the perfect opportuni- moth's ice age environment will be sim- launched in Paris but also traveled Polish ministers of culture, ty to strengthen ulated, and there will also be examples around France and Europe. depicting primitive man's interaction Dominique de Villepin and Jean-Jacques Aillagon and Franco-Polish rela- For more information, visit with the mammoth. Extinct for nearly Polish Foreign Minister Waldemar Dabrowski, tions at this crucial www.mcm.asso.fr. 4,000 years as a result of climate change Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz respectively, expressed juncture in European and, perhaps, excessive human hunting, in Paris. their pleasure that the next history. FRENCH ANIMATION the mammoth is now coming back to HAS GLOBAL (courtesy:Ministry of Foreign Affairs) European enlargement For more informa- life in this wonderful Parisian exhibit! For should occur simultane- tion, please visit the INFLUENCE more information, please visit TV France International and ously with this cultural event. Waldemar added that Europe's www.nova-polska.pl www.mnhn.fr/mammouths. the French National Center responsibility is now two-pronged: not only must it preserve Web site. l l for Cinematography pub- lished a joint study boding well for the French animation indus- Yves Saint Laurent's "Dialogue With Art" try and its global ambitions. Their study, released on March LTHOUGH YVES SAINT LAURENT closed his near the Champs-Elysées, and is set to run until July 18. It 30, notes that these programs doors a mere two years ago, the celebrated art cou- showcases exquisite pieces that represent Yves Saint find "remarkably large audi- turier has reopened his former haute-couture fashion Laurent's relationship with art between 1965 and 1988: ences," which often surpass the A ratings usually obtained by the house – only this time, to serve as a museum. The museum's Mondrian dresses, Picasso-inspired capes elaborately bead- channels on which they are inaugural exhibit, organized by the Pierre Bergé–Yves Saint ed with Cubist images, and even Pop Art dresses character- broadcast. Thus, French anima- Laurent Foundation, is dedicated to 42 art-inspired dresses. istic of Andy Warhol. Other items are said to emulate tion, which leads French televi- According to Yves Saint Laurent, who has always been inspired Braque, Van Gogh and Matisse. sion and film exports, "contin- by paintings in the creation of his works, the 42 dresses on dis- Although they will not be featured in the current exhibi- ues to work really well" in for- play are a "homage paid to the painters who exerted the great- tion, the mansion is also home to 15,000 couture accessories, eign countries. The study also est influence on me." beaded jackets, floor-length feathered coats, fur toques, and found that other types of French The exhibit, entitled appropriately enough "Dialogue over 5,000 dresses. These treasures are being preserved with the programming continue to be very successful internationally. With Art," is located in a mansion on 5 avenue Marceau, utmost care, and may be displayed in future exhibits. l l 7 in brief France in America CHEZ NOUS On April 15 through 17, French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet will per- form Olivier Messiaen's “Turangalîla- symphonie” with the Atlanta U.S. Encore for the Lyon Opera Ballet Symphony Orchestra. Messiaen, a Philippe Decouflé’s new “Tricodex” will play in Washington, D.C., and New York preeminent 20th century French composer, was famous for the ITH "TRICODEX," the Lyon Opera Ballet is music video, "True Faith" by New Order, rhythmic language of his pieces, returning to the United States with a unique program received an MTV award in 1987 and his 1994 whose melodies were often inspired combining dance, acrobatics and visual effects mas- short film "Le P'tit Bal" received numerous by Gregorian chant or birdsong. For terminded by French cinema, circus and theater artist prizes from several European film festivals. more information, please visit WPhilippe Decouflé, who is especially well known for having staged As the assistant to Jean-Paul Goude for "Bleu, www.atlantasymphony.org, or call 1 the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1992 Winter Olympics Blanc, Goude" for the celebration of the (404) 733-5000. in Albertville, France. bicentennial of the French Revolution in "Tricodex," the premiere of which was performed in Lyon in 1989, he choreographed the clog dance. News from FRANCE March, is inspired by Codex Serafinius, the encyclopedia penned by Over the last 15 years, the Lyon Opera Italian artist and naturalist Luigi Serafini who, fueled by an unpre- Ballet has built up a contemporary dance EDITOR-IN-CHIEF dictable imagination, wrote about repertoire with a large Nathalie Loiseau fantastic animals, imaginary plants, number of pieces in a insects, vegetables and machines, all wide variety of styles, EDITOR denizens of another world. The bal- commissioning works Emmanuel Gagniarre let features 30 dancers, 150 cos- from young choreogra- MANAGING EDITOR tumes and is punctuated by video phers and performing Amaury Laporte projections. It is the third in a trilo- pieces by major modern choreographers. The gy of works by Decouflé. company's repertoire includes many American SENIOR WRITER Aude Rabault Decouflé, who initially wanted choreographers such as Trisha Brown, Bill T. to be a clown, began his choreo- Jones, Ralph Lemon, Karole Armitage, Lucinda WRITERS graphic career in the 1980s with Childs, Susan Marshall, and Stephen Petronio. Nicolas Blarel, Guillaume Grasset, Michelle Hardy, Goranka Cop Henegar, Carine works such as "Tranche de Cake," Although the high-quality members of the Morin, Lisa Petzold, Aida Senna, Angela "Trio Epouvantable" and "Vagues company were trained as classical dancers, the Stowell, Susan Swihart, Travis Valentine Café," which was awarded a prize Lyon Opera Ballet is famous for its experimen- To change your address, subscribe (for from the French Ministry of tal and adventurous repertory—"Tricodex" free) or unsubscribe, please contact: Culture and the first prize at the being an excellent example! FRENCH EMBASSY PRESS & International Dance Competition Scene from “Tricodex,” by Philippe Decouflé Michigan University's Musical Society first INFORMATION SERVICE (Courtesy: Michel Cavalca) 4101 Reservoir Road, NW of Bagnolet in 1983. Aside from hosted the ballet company in Ann Arbor's Washington, DC 20007-2182 choreographing for stage and creating large-scale outdoor specta- Power Center for the Performing Arts in early April. The troupe will Tel: (202) 944-6060 Fax: (202) 944-6072 cles, Decouflé directs films, music videos, and television commer- next perform Philippe Decouflé's new work, "Tricodex," at the E-mail: cials. His works for stage include "Codex," "Petites Pièces Montées," Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, from April 8 to April 10, fol- [email protected] "Décodex," "Triton," "Triton 2" and "Shazam!" (which delighted lowed by performances at New York's Performing Arts Center on http://www.ambafrance-us.org American audiences during the company's last U.S. tour in 2001). April 16 and 17, and at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 20, http://www.france.diplomatie.fr Decouflé also choreographed "Tutti" for the Choreographic 22 and 24. For more information on the shows, please visit: Research Group of the Paris Opera and directed the Musical "Dora, www.kennedy-center.org, www.artscenter.org/dance.html or the Cat Who Lived a Million Times" in Japan in 1996. His first pop www.bam.org. l l

8

Top View